This page displays the First Title of Constitutional Canons.
The Canons determine the fundamental character of the HCC-
TITLE I: CONCERNING THE CHURCH AND THE FAITH
Canon 1: OF THE AUTHORITY OF THESE CANONS: The Canons given below possess authority and command obedience only as far as they witness to and embody that divinely ordered constitution with which Christ, abiding in His Church through the Holy Spirit, has endowed his Holy People (Quinisext Council I).
Canon 2: OF THE NAME OF THIS CHURCH: This Church shall be known in general as The Holy Catholic Church Western Rite (in the Family of Catholic Churches) according to the particular circumstance and civil regulations of any country in which this Church maintains a presence. The identity of this Church is secured by the Standard of Faith which is maintained by all its members.
Canon 3: OF THE NATURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: "Where Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Smyrnaeans VIII). This Church acknowledges that the Catholic Church (of which it is itself a manifestation) is the sacramental Body of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, abiding for all time in the Church, Christ bestows His Risen and Saving Life upon His Holy People. The Catholic Church is both distinguishable and inseparable from her Lord.
Canon 4: OF THE STANDARD OF FAITH OF THIS CHURCH: The Standard of Faith of this Church
is that of the "Teaching of the Holy Fathers and of the Oecumenical Councils and
the Tradition of the Catholic Church" (Nicaea II, Session I, Anathema VIII). By this
Teaching and Tradition the true saving interpretation of Holy Scripture, the Word
of God, is secured for all time by the Holy Spirit. This Church recognises that the
Teaching and (Holy) Tradition referred to above have been preserved faithfully, under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by all seven Ecumenical Councils -
Canon 5: OF THE SACRAMENTS AND MINISTRY OF THIS CHURCH: The Holy Sacraments and Ministry of this Church are those which have continued in the Catholic Church since the time of the Apostles. This Church recognises seven Sacraments, namely: Holy Baptism and Confirmation, The Holy Eucharist (Mass), Holy Orders, Holy Matrimony, Penance, and Unction. In conformity with the Holy Tradition, Holy Orders may be bestowed only upon men (note Quinisext Council LXX).
Canon 6: OF THE CREEDS: This Church accepts, as the Baptismal Symbol (Statement of Faith), the Creed commonly called the Apostles Creed. This Church acknowledges the Creed known as the Athanasian Creed. This Church submits itself to the Creed of the First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea I) as received through the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople I) and commonly known as the Nicene Creed. This Church recognises that this Creed is to be maintained in its original form.
Canon 7: OF THE MOTHER OF GOD: This Church maintains devotion to Mary, Mother of
God (Theotokos), in accordance with the witness of the Catholic Church. This Church
therefore acknowledges not only that Mary is truly the Mother of God (St. Cyril,
12 Anathemas), but also recognises her personal sinlessness, her perpetual virginity
and her glorification (Dormition/Assumption), body as well as soul (Constantinople
II, Capitulum VI, Nicaea II, Decree), in total fulfilment of the whole divine scheme
of salvation -
Canon 8: OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS CHURCH: This Church is governed and directed under the Holy Tradition by Bishops (Apostolic Canon XXXIV) holding without reservation the orthodox Apostolic and Catholic Faith, and consecrated within the Apostolic Succession. The Bishops, as successors of the Holy Apostles, govern according to the Canons of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and of those other Councils recognised by them, and by such Canons approved by the Synods of the Bishops of this Church which do not conflict with the Canons approved by the Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils.
Canon 9: OF BISHOPS ORDINARY: The Bishops Ordinary of this Church, as successors of the Apostles, are charged with the entire care and government of all within their Dioceses. The Bishops Ordinary are the chief pastors of the flock entrusted to them. They maintain themselves, and all for whom they are responsible, in the Holy Tradition, ruling in accordance with the Canons of the Catholic Church.
Canon 10: OF THE UNITY OF THE EPISCOPATE: The Bishops of this Church hold their Apostolic
authority both individually and collectively from Christ. In obedience to the ancient
Canons of the Catholic Church (Apostolic Canon XXXIV) they choose one to be first
among them as Metropolitan Bishop (in any provincial area determined by them) and
do nothing of consequence without his consent, just as he must do nothing without
the consent of all -
Canon 11: OF SYNODS OF BISHOPS: The ancient Canons recognised by this Church direct that there shall be two Synods each year at which Bishops shall settle matters concerning the Church by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with the Holy Tradition (Apostolic Canon XXXVII).
Canon 12: OF LITURGICAL USAGE: This Church has received a rich heritage of worship based on an ancient liturgical tradition of the Catholic Church. While accepting that there will be local variations of usage, the ancient liturgical tradition remains the standard by which all forms of acceptable worship are to be measured. The Gregorian Canon provides the most appropriate Eucharistic Prayer of Consecration
Canon 13: OF MARRIAGE VOWS: This Church upholds the sanctity of Marriage as a life-
Canon 14: OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: It is required of all members of this Church to strive to achieve holiness of life, relying upon the strength given them by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and encouraged by the examples of the Saints who have gone before them to their eternal reward.
Canon 15: OF RECEIVING COMMUNION: Those whose Baptism and Confirmation are recognised by this Church may receive Holy Communion at its Altars. In normal circumstances only those who have been formally accepted into the fellowship of this Church receive communion.
Canon 16: OF FURTHER MATTERS UNDER THIS TITLE: Where further matters arise which require the decision of the Synod of Bishops, such decisions can be entered as Canons under this Title.
